Tie vote stalls proposed data center rezoning in DeSoto County
The DeSoto County Commission considered rezoning nearly 238 acres of agricultural land near Arcadia for a large data center, amid strong opposition from nearby residents. Commissioners tied on the rezoning vote, preventing the project from moving forward as proposed, while county staff cited missing information about its power, water, emissions, noise and other impacts.
The DeSoto County Commission considered whether to rezone nearly 238 acres of agricultural land to permit construction of a large data center near Arcadia. The proposal drew residents to the commission chambers and prompted concerns about the project’s effects on the area’s rural character, water use and electricity demand.
The county planning director said the developers had not provided sufficient details about equipment, operations, resource demands, emissions, noise and other impacts. Staff recommended conditions including an on-site permanent power source and a 500-foot separation from residential areas. Neighbors urged commissioners to reject the proposal, and the commission ended with a tie vote, leaving the data center project unable to proceed under the requested rezoning.